A former city attorney for Newark has filed a federal complaint against the City of Newark, claiming that he faced retaliation related to the negotiation of a multi-million dollar development deal.

Willie Parker, who served as the city's chief municipal prosecutor, brought the whistleblower action in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, naming the City of Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka and Amiri "Middy" Baraka, Jr., the mayor's brother and chief of staff, as defendants. Two other city officials are also named as defendants in the complaint.

Parker's suit centers around an unnamed multi-million dollar development deal that Newark was negotiating in August 2016. The complaint proceeds to list a series of alleged events that "reveal an alarming picture of a Mayor and governmental entity run riot with retaliatory animus."

"Mr. Parker reviewed the contract and reasonably and accurately concluded that a material, yet unnecessary and detrimental, provision in the Contract had been added following approval," the complaint states. "The provision would result in the City losing millions of dollars while simultaneously benefiting private commercial interests."

The private commercial interests were not named in the suit.

"As the City’s Corporation Counsel, Mr. Parker refused to sign or approve the contract, believing doing so would violate public policy and applicable law, and reasonably believed that it would benefit private interests to the detriment of the City," the suit alleges.

The complaint alleges that Middy Baraka "commanded" Parker at an Aug. 25 meeting to execute the contract on behalf of the city. Parker would not sign or approve the contract. During the meeting Middy Baraka repeatedly emphasized the importance of “getting this done” for “purely political reasons,” the suit alleges.

Upon leaving the meeting, Parker called Mayor Baraka to express his reservations and explain why he could not sign the contract. After meeting with the mayor about the issue the same day, Parker claims in the suit that he received an angry phone call from Middy Baraka, asking to meet with him.

In a confrontation outside of Parker's home, Middy Baraka, escorted by his "fully-armed" security detail, asked Parker to explain why Parker "had snitched to the Mayor" about their earlier communication regarding issues about the contract, according to the suit.

Parker claims in the complaint that he faced intimidation in the following weeks, had his professional responsibilities curtailed and faced surveillance by the mayor.

Parker asserts in the suit that the stress he experienced contributed to him having a heart attack in October 2016. After a dispute regarding leave time, Parker was requested by the city to resign in December, according to the complaint. Parker also states that he suffered additional emergency cardiac issues because of his stress at work, the complaint alleges.

NEWARK, NJ - A North Ward resident has his Ring doorbell to thank for helping catch an alleged package thief, police said.

Gilfredo Santiago, 41, was arrested in connection with the Jan. 14 theft after police identified him through the homeowner’s Ring Home Security system, authorities said. Ring is a video doorbell that comes with a cellphone app which can alert a homeowner when motion is ...

NEWARK, NJ - A North Ward resident has his Ring doorbell to thank for helping catch an alleged ...

NEWARK, NJ - The city’s Code Blue alert will remain in effect today as temperatures this morning dropped to about 6 degrees.

A Code Blue alert is called whenever temperatures reach 25 degrees or lower without precipitation or 32 degrees or lower with precipitation. The alert helps homeless people get to shelters during cold weather.

WELLINGTON, Fla. — On Jan. 18, S. Tucker S. Johnson was presented with the 2019 R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award during the USET Foundation’s Gold Medal Club Reception held at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Fla.

In 2015, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announced the creation of the award in honor and recognition of the late Bruce Duchossois.

GOSHEN, N.Y. — The Living Horse Hall of Fame nominating committee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame has announced the results of recent balloting to determine the 2019 inductees into the Harness Racing Living Horse Hall of Fame.

Museum members voted for the three horses they felt best exemplified greatness. Their choices are racehorses Foiled Again and Captaintreacherous, and ...

NEWARK, NJ - City residents will have to obey the "no parking when roads are snow covered" ordinance for this weekend's expected storm.

“As you know, we are preparing the City of Newark for the impending snowstorm, predicted to begin tomorrow afternoon with snow and continuing through Saturday night,” Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. “I, along with the Director of Public Safety Anthony ...

NEWARK, NJ - City residents will have to obey the "no parking when roads are snow covered" ...

ROSELLE, NJ - What is your definition of the Arts? When you ask some people, the first thing that comes to mind is paintings, crafts, and other hands-on types of works. Others will say it's beautiful music. But what about Film Making? Yes, that is art too!

Roselle’s newest Councilman John Fortuna - a graduate of Rutgers University - is one who takes the "Arts” very seriously and looks to bring ...

ROSELLE, NJ - What is your definition of the Arts? When you ask some people, the first thing that ...

NEWARK, NJ - Police are looking for an Elizabeth man that was involved in a hit and run that occurred in Newark.

According to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, Police are looking for Nester Marin-Romaldo, 35, of Elizabeth for a hit-and-run that resulted in serious injuries to two female pedestrians as they were ...

NEWARK, NJ - Police are looking for an Elizabeth man that was involved in a hit and run that ...

NEWARK, NJ - City hall will be closed and all non-emergency municipal services will be suspended on Jan. 21 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Trash should not be put out on Jan. 21 for pick up, and doing so could result in a fine. Garbage collection for Zone A that would occur on Jan. 21 will take place on Jan. 24. The next paper recycling pick-up will occur on Jan.

NEWARK, NJ - City hall will be closed and all non-emergency municipal services will be suspended on ...